Scheer taps 'Summer of '69' co-writer for campaign song

Looking for a cure for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has gone to the doctor for some help to “Get Ahead” with his election campaign.

But this visit was to the “Song Doctor.”

Yes, the Conservatives’ catchy new campaign song has some very Canadian distinctive licks that people may recognize — including the riffs from the beginning of the iconic Bryan Adams tune Summer of 69.

Call this one the Summer of ’19.

LISTEN TO THE SONG

Actually, the song is called Get Ahead — written and produced by none other than Order of Canada member Jim Vallance, who co-wrote many hit songs with Adams and others including Tina Turner, Aerosmith, Loverboy, Prism, Heart and Ozzy Osbourne.

It is the Scheer campaign’s theme song after the writ was dropped Wednesday and the election for Oct. 21 was called.

“A brand new, a better way, it’s time for you to get ahead,” is the main lyric over some spirited Canadian rock.

Vallance, who has also co-written such classics as Cuts Like a Knife, Run to You and Rag Doll, was commissioned to do the song for the campaign and told me he got it done just in time.

“I wasn’t ready for this to be a story, at least not so soon,” he said. “I just submitted the song on Sunday.”

It will become one of those tunes you will be hearing a lot of in the weeks ahead.

Vallance, 67, is not known for taking a political stance, but with Adams he spent some time in the past at 24 Sussex jamming with former prime minister Stephen Harper.

Known in the industry as the “Song Doctor,” Vallance is often brought into studios on a paid freelance basis by producers to help artists sort out problems with songs they are having difficulties finishing.

The song doctor has made a house call again — and this time the patient is none other than a man who hopes to be Canada’s next prime minister.